Satsang Devotion to Shri Sai Baba by Sanjay M. Padia

Satsang Devotion to Shri Sai Baba by Sanjay M. Padia

The first reason is most obvious. Belief in God for such type of youth is
confined to the word ʽbeliefʼ, only. That belief does not necessarily imply
that they must be devoted also, according to them.
The other group of friends tells me that though they spend a little time on
prayer, their mind remains perturbed, and there is no end to their
difficulties. This is the point that my topic in this article relates to:
To the young as well as the old, let me say that Shri Sainath is the easiest
Avatar to approach for your miseries. Baba is the only saint or Avatar who
required the least devotion and without formalities. Baba Himself is equal
to Rama, Krishna and Maruti and hence worshipping Baba is worshipping all of
them. In Sai Baba's charters and sayings by H. H. Narasimha Swamiji let us
refer to Chapter Nos 22, 24, 25 & 27. For reference and information they are
as under:
Ch 22) simply say "Sai, Sai" with heart overflowing. I care not for show and
respect of forms. I rest in such devotees.
Ch 24) I am formless and everywhere.
Ch 25) If one casts his burden on me and thinks of me I look after all his
concerns.
Ch 27) In the abode of my devotees there will be no dearth of food and
clothing.
These assurances are enough to indicate that Shri Sainath is always with His
devotees who remember Him. Even if we spend a little time only thinking of
Sai, that itself is sufficient. But we must have faith and patience as
preached by Baba to have His full blessings. And it is true that 9 out of 10
people have benefited from Him during His lifetime and even after so many
years of Mahasamadhi, His response towards His devotees is as prompt as what
it was during His life. Even today, the majority of the people find relief
when they earnestly pray to Him. For Sai Baba we need not chant so many
mantras or observe so many rites. The best recourse is to pray silently to
Him any time of the day. Many devotees believe that to please Lord Sainath
Maharaj various forms of pooja and chanting of hymns is required. In this
however they are wrong. It is no doubt very good to do a detailed pooja if
one is able to do it, but to those who cannot, it is not compulsory in Sai's
case.
To develop faith and patience together with increased devotion, devotees
must first read the Sai-Charitra (life-history of Sai Baba), read His
leelas, etc. By doing so, a devotee will have increased faith and devotion
to Baba thereby making him perfectly qualified for his entry into Baba's
Darbar. This very reading of the Sat-Charitra is a prayer itself. A devotee
may not follow the usual lengthy procedures for worshipping Baba but to take
recourse to an easier path one must first go through His life and leelas.
Without studying Baba's life and leelas it is not possible for any person to
develop faith.
Baba's innumerable material benefits conferred on His devotees are in sharp
contrast to Lord Ramana Maharashi and Lord Ramakrishna Paramhamsa both of
whom imparted spiritual instructions and benefits only. Whereas the three
Top personalities are equal in their Spiritual and Divine Powers, there are
only two differences where Baba actually differs from them:
a) Baba blessed His devotees both materially and spiritually whereas Lord
Ramana and Ramakrishna blessed their devotees for spiritual upliftment only.
b) Whereas the Samadhi of Lord Ramana and that of Lord Ramakrishna are not
active after their physical departure from this world, that of Baba is. Shri
Sai Nath Maharaj is even more active after His Samadhi than when He was
physically present.
These two differences indicate that Baba's mission in this world is
different than that of the other two. That is why He is continuing to help
His devotees in all ways.
Finally let me state that if a devotee places His confidence in Baba he is
sure to be protected whatever the circumstances may be. He need not fear for
body and soul.
Baba's orders are supreme. No force on earth or even in this universe or
beyond can challenge His grace and order. He has got virtual command of the
movements of this entire universe and no devotee must even doubt for a
moment that nothing is impossible for Him to do. So we must surrender
wholeheartedly to Him.
Sanjay M. Padia
Calcutta (West Bengal)
Source Shri Sai Leela June 1985.